As yet un-beta'd.
Chapter 2 - Super-Heated Infusion of Free-Radicals and Tannins!
"Rose," the Doctor said, unable to look away from the miracle before him. He climbed slowly to his feet, desperately fighting the urge to run to her, knowing how scared she was - is - must be. His hearts were nearly beating out of his chest with the exhilaration of finding her, of being here, but he had to tread softly. "It was the Time Vortex," he explained carefully, recalling how his Ninth self had tried to prepare her, as well as feeling the continuing effects. "Like I said, I absorbed it, but my old body couldn't take it. I had to regenerate." He held his arms out, as if displaying himself as evidence. "It's a trick of the Time Lords," he explained, letting his hands fall back to his sides. "To save ourselves when we're dying. I had to change every single cell of my body, but it's still me." He took a single step towards her, and she didn't back away. "It's me, the Doctor."
He had the small hope that without acting as giddily as he had the first time 'round, high on regenerating as well as just plain surviving the Time Vortex, she might be more trusting and accept the change more readily.
He wanted to do this right.
He had somehow traded radiation sickness for regeneration sickness, and if he didn't treat it in time (he had less than three minutes before the symptoms should appear), Rose would be stuck in the Vortex with an unconscious Time Lord...
She still wasn't saying anything, so he tried to go with what he knew, reminding her of their first meeting. "Rose," he soothed, as he chanced a few more steps, just enough to reach her. "You remember? The first word I ever said to you?" He reached out gently to her hand, and she let him slide his fingers around it. "I took your hand in that cellar full of shop window dummies, and I said just one word, 'Run.'"
Her mouth opened slightly with another small gasp, and at last she said, "Doctor?"
The rush from her recognition was even greater than he recalled. He felt his face split into a wide grin as he echoed his original self. "Hello!" But unlike the first time, he wasn't letting her go just yet. Running off to Barcelona could wait - had to wait. Rose half slumped, understandably overwhelmed by all that had just happened. She didn't even remember yet all she had done after opening the Heart of the TARDIS... The Doctor moved to hold her arms. Would she trust him? "Rose?"
She shook her head gently, but looked him in the eye. "With all I've seen, I never thought - two heads, or no head, and then," she poked him in the chest, "you EXPLODED!" She leaned her head back against the coral strut, and let out a strangled sigh.
"I'm sorry," the Doctor told her, elated that she wasn't pulling away or accusing him of being Slitheen...
"Can ya change back?" she asked, not unexpectedly.
He shook his head. "I can't. I would if I in any way could." Rose swallowed, but nodded. "You came back for me, and then I had to go and do this. I'm so sorry."
Rose frowned at that. "You were dyin'," she stated matter-of-factly. "Jus' glad you're here."
The Doctor smiled more gently at her as he stepped away, sliding one hand back to hold hers. "Rose Tyler," he began, then chuckled. "Rose Tyler!" He couldn't help himself, and moved back in to hug her tightly. "I can't possibly explain how good it feels to say your name again."
She wasn't quite returning the hug full force, but she laughed at his comment. "Alright..."
He reluctantly let her go. She looked understandably confused, but smiled at him. "I still need your help," he said.
She sobered instantly at that. "What's wrong?" she asked, reaching for his hand.
"It's a side effect of the Time Vortex," he told her, then gently tugged towards the hallway. ''I'll explain while we get some tea?" She followed along with him, until he stopped short, doubting himself. "Or," he told her, moving quickly to the console. The timeline was already slightly altered, to be sure, but best not to make too many drastic changes before he got a good handle on what had happened to him. "Let's just set the Old Girl moving before we go -" he set the coordinates for Christmas Eve, just as he had done before. "Ought to tell Jackie what a good cuppa she makes." He threw the last lever, then turned to find Rose staring at him strangely. "What's that look?" he asked.
"Jus', how much've you changed?" she asked with narrowed eyes.
He recognized the smile beneath her scowl, and realized how odd his generosity towards her mother must sound. "Enough," he answered, reaching for her hand and starting back towards the kitchen. "Just enough to appreciate the amazing healing effects of a super-heated infusion of free-radicals and tannins, thank you."
"Yeah, now that sounds more like you," she allowed as she followed.
To be continued...
